In temperatures that climbed to 115 degrees, Acevedo made his move on the Tramway Road climb near the finish of the 200-kilometer (124-mile) stage. He covered the route, which began in Murrieta and ended in the desert town of Palm Springs, in 5:07:40.

"Insane," van Garderen said of the brutal conditions. "It was unlike anything I've ever done." Phil Deignan was third in Stage 2, at 27 seconds back.

With his victory, Acevedo took command of the general classification. Overnight leader Lieuwe Westra dropped back early on the finish climb and was more than eight minutes behind Acevedo.

The Tour of California continues Tuesday with the 110-mile third stage from Palmdale to Santa Clarita. Weather forecasters are predicting somewhat cooler temperatures for this day.

For the first time, the Tour will take riders on a route from the southern part of the state northward, starting at Escondido and finishing on May 19 in Santa Rosa, near San Francisco.

America's most important stage race will cover some 745 miles) over the eight stages, highlighted by an individual time trial on the sixth stage and the hors categorie Mount Diablo climb on stage seven.

Temperatures in California near Palm Springs topped 110 degrees, turning the roads of the ATOC into frying pans and melting the peloton. (Wil Matthews)